When I was in High School, I watched a bootleg VHS tape with episode 1 of the OVA "Area 88" on it. No subtitles, no internet FAQs to help me decipher what was going on...just grainy third generation awesome from Japan: gritty, fascinating, and intense. I never saw the rest of the series until now...
I love finding old anime for a pittance. My latest score was the 2006 re-release of the Area 88 OVA by ADV for $5.99 at Frye's in Mission Valley, a veritable treasure trove of media gems. While not nearly the well of delights it used to be, I'm glad I can still find stuff at Frye's once and a while when I dare to brave their terrible parking lot and warehouse atmosphere.
Far from just a transfer of the old videotape, ADV released this old show extremely cleaned up, and dubbed brilliantly. Yes, I prefer dubs when done right, especially for action anime like this. Every frame is a treat, and I'd hate to miss something because I was reading. Not elitist enough for you? Well, too bad. While I don't mind reading my movies, when a dub is as good as this one, I'll take it gladly.
Area 88 is not a fantasy, but it is based on a far-fetched premise. Pilot Shin Kazama is tricked by his rival into joining a Mercenary Airforce for a small middle-eastern country, and must serve three years or pay an "exit fee" of one and a half million dollars before he can get out, or risk death by firing squad if he gets caught trying to desert. The story follows Shin as he comes to terms with his survival instincts and the fact that he's very good at killing people in the sky. Also, it follows his betrayer and the woman they both want through a series of near-misses and corporate intrigue. It's very well done, and I'm not sure there has been anything like it before or since.
Also, it's jet-fighter porn all the way. The aircraft are all drawn and animated with loving detail, and the dog-fights have an organic charm that is hard to resist. Aside from the violence and character designs, I could see Miyazaki getting a real kick out of the flight portrayed here. It's visceral and exciting, and a few of the combat scenes had me laughing and gasping out loud. Not too shappy for an over 20 year-old piece of animation.
But all the pretty sights wouldn't mean a thing unless the characters were solid, and this I think is Area 88's strongest point, and what keeps it relevant even when the designs are dated. Through the course of the films, I came to really care who lived and who died, even though the made-up political scenario only served as a catalyst for combat. Watching Shin (In the orange jumpsuit above) descend into embracing his killer instinct while maintaining a sense of pride was captivating, and the final shot of him racing back to the warzone he fought so hard to escape and smiling with satisfaction gave me a chill.
There is a part about halfway through the series where Shin is forced to save the life of Kanzaki, the man who betrayed him, while also saving the life of his love and his commanding officer that is played out beautifully. Neither Yoko (the pining girlfriend) nor Shin realize exactly what has happened, but Kanzaki does, and is stunned that he AGAIN owes Shin. While his behaviour is broadly painted, Kanzaki is actually a very sympathetic character, and I got the sense that the writer wasn't willing to let him twirl his mustache and just be the object of revenge. Ultimately, I felt sorry for him, as well as his victims, and I welcome that kind of empathy when it is properly built into a good narrative.
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